Welcome to the very first episode of the Sadeeqa Podcast – a space where women share the real story of life in Dubai, friendships, and the relocation journey.
For those who don't know, Sadeeqa is a women's community I started in Dubai to help ladies make friends, find their circle, and build genuine connections. In this episode, I'm joined by two amazing women – Maxine and Inés – to talk about what it's really like moving to Dubai with kids.
Meet Maxine and Inés
Maxine: Moved from Southampton, UK about a year ago with her husband and two children (ages 6 and 11). Her husband's business brought them here – he was constantly travelling to Dubai, and they decided to stop being apart so much.
Inés: Moved from Manchester in January 2025 with her partner and 4-year-old daughter. Originally planned to move to Spain or Portugal (where family lived), but when her partner's parents relocated their family business to Dubai, the opportunity opened up.
Why Dubai? Their Stories
Maxine's Gradual Move
"It wasn't totally planned out at the beginning. It was more like a gradual move. My husband kept coming back to Dubai for business, and we thought – why are we spending so much time apart?"
Having friends already in Dubai helped massively. She hadn't heard a bad word about it – everyone loved living here. As someone who'd never been an expat before, hearing other families' experiences was comforting.
Key advantage: Her husband already knew the paperwork side from being an expat himself. They did a lot of admin before even moving, which saved massive headaches.
Inés: Dubai Was Never on the Cards
"We'd never even been to Dubai. Spain was the plan – his parents lived there. Portugal was the backup – my best friend lives there. Then his parents moved their business to Dubai, and suddenly there were jobs for both of us."
For about six months before moving, they went into full research mode – watching YouTube channels (including ours!), trying to understand what life would actually be like.
The First Few Months: Decision Overload
Both women described the same feeling: a whirlwind.
Maxine's experience:
- Sorting school uniforms
- Setting up the apartment
- Constant decision-making
- "It feels like a blur now"
"I think you put loads of pressure on yourself to nail everything immediately. I tell anyone now – yes it's stressful, but try and enjoy the process. It IS exciting."
The Attestation Nightmare
If you've watched our channel, you'll know I bang on about this constantly: get your documents attested before you leave the UK.
We didn't, and it was my worst nightmare. Marriage certificates, birth certificates – you need these for visas, and the process here is so much harder than doing it at home.
Maxine did hers in the UK. Saved so much headache and anxiety.
Paperwork Checklist: Before You Fly
| Do This in the UK | Do This in Dubai |
|---|---|
| Attest marriage certificate | Health checks |
| Attest birth certificates | Emirates ID application |
| Gather passport copies | Visa processing |
| Get passport photos | Utilities setup (DEWA, etc.) |
| Contact estate agents | EJARI (tenancy registration) |
| Research schools | School registration |
Pro tip: Keep everything in one folder. You'll need these documents over and over.
Making Friends as an Adult (It's Awkward)
This is something women especially struggle with. Inés works from home – she can't make friends at an office. Maxine's husband socialises through work, but she needed something different.
Why Women Need Different Social Support
"For men, there's usually a purpose – football meetups, business networking, F1 watch parties. Otherwise they see it as time wasting. Women? We just want to chat about everything. We need to offload. We need someone HERE in Dubai."
Yes, you can still talk to your UK friends. But you want someone local you can vent to – about your husband, work, the kids. Someone you can actually see.
The One-on-One Coffee Problem
Meeting someone one-on-one for coffee is basically like dating. What if there's nothing to talk about? Awkward silences? It's too much pressure.
Group settings remove that pressure. You can invite someone to a paddle session or pottery class without it being weird. The conversation flows naturally because there are other people around.
How Maxine and I Actually Met
This is one of my favourite stories.
Maxine had literally landed that day. Kids weren't tired (jet lag), so they went to check out the pool in Waves Grande (their Airbnb). I was there in the dark on a sunbed while the boys swam.
"She asked what time the pool was open till. I said quite late. She came back with the kids. We chatted for ages. Turned out we'd both just moved. And the rest is history."
Our sons are now in the same year at the same school. That's the magic of Dubai – everyone's in the same boat, and everyone's keen to help each other.
Sobha Hartland: Why They Both Chose It
Both families ended up in Sobha Hartland. Here's why:
Maxine's Search
They looked at Dubai Hills but wanted to stay in an Airbnb first to test the area. The key factors:
- Walking distance to school – The traffic in Dubai is the biggest downside. Being able to walk is life-changing.
- Apartment life surprised her – She expected to want a villa with a garden. Instead, she loves having security, maintenance on call, and meeting neighbours in the building.
- Convenience – Coffee shops, gym, everything nearby.
Inés Followed the Research
"We watched your channel. You recommended Sobha Hartland. We went to see it and fell in love. Thankfully! It made things so much easier having that research done for us."
January was tricky – tourist season meant the rental market was scarce. Properties were snapping up fast. Having a good estate agent who found places before they were even listed was crucial.
Villa vs Apartment: The Real Trade-Off
| Apartment Life | Villa Life |
|---|---|
| Security and concierge | More space and garden |
| Someone to call if things break | Privacy |
| Meet neighbours easily | Often further from amenities |
| Usually closer to schools | Longer commutes |
| Pool and gym included | May need to drive to facilities |
Maxine's realisation:
"I was very much like – we need a garden, we need greenery, we need a villa. That's what we're used to in England. But actually, I love apartment life."
How Long Does It Take to Feel Settled?
About a year.
That's when:
- Kids have their friendship groups
- You know your routine (school runs, clubs, activities)
- It stops feeling like a holiday
- You know the ropes
But even then, there's always more to explore. Dubai has so much to do – you'll never be bored.
The Dubai Lifestyle Comparison
Inés shared something her partner's dad always says:
"In Spain, when you finish work, your day begins. In the UK, once you finish work, you pick up the kids, make dinner, go to bed. You live for the weekend."
In Dubai, working UK hours means your mornings are free. Gym, upskilling, personal time – before the workday even starts.
And the lifestyle cost comparison doesn't make sense. A pool in every apartment building. Gym facilities included. Safe communities. This would cost 10x more in the UK.
Sadeeqa Events: What We Do
For anyone wondering what Sadeeqa actually involves, here's what we've done and what's coming:
Past events:
- Coffee mornings
- Tea tasting
- Top Golf (surprisingly fun even if you're terrible)
- Ladies' nights
Coming up:
- Paddle tennis
- Pottery
- Reformer Pilates
- Yacht day (daytime, not 23-year-olds partying till 5am!)
- Kids events where families can come together
The mix matters. Not everyone drinks. Not everyone wants evening events. Some prefer daytime while kids are at school. There's something for everyone.
Quick Fire: Their Dubai Favourites
| Question | Inés | Maxine |
|---|---|---|
| Best thing about Dubai? | The infectious spirit – everyone wants to do better | – |
| Any regrets? | None | No |
| Favourite restaurant? | Nobu at Atlantis (special occasions!) | Vietnamese Foodies |
| Hidden gem? | – | Arabian Tea House in Deira (Emirati breakfast) |
Their Advice for Anyone Relocating
Inés: Just Do It
"Don't let your fears hold you back. If you want to go to an event, do it. If you want to try something new, do it. Dubai equals opportunity – in friendships, in making money, in bettering yourself. Just do it."
Maxine: Don't Put Too Much Pressure on Yourself
"I felt like I needed to get everything right the first time. But actually, it's okay to do it gradually. You can't really get anything wrong. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."
Practical Tips You Can Copy
- ✅ Create a relocation folder with all documents
- ✅ Map out your school area with daily needs (supermarket, pharmacy, coffee shop, paediatrician)
- ✅ Use a short-term Airbnb to test an area before signing a lease
- ✅ Join two social groups and one interest activity in your first month
- ✅ Keep a questions list on your phone to ask other parents at school pick-up
Areas Mentioned
- Sobha Hartland – Where both families settled. Great for young families, walkable to school.
- Dubai Hills – Family-friendly, considered by Maxine
- Arabian Ranches – Villa community, mentioned as option
- Villanova – Popular with families from our channel
- Tilal Al Ghaf – Newer community we've covered
Join Sadeeqa
If you're a woman in Dubai who wants genuine connection – not awkward networking – you're welcome at Sadeeqa.
- Instagram: @sadeeqadubai
- Facebook: Search Sadeeqa Dubai
Come to an event, meet good people, and start building your circle. No hard selling, no awkward small talk – just good people in an easy setting.
Thinking about relocating? Take my neighbourhood quiz to find the right area for your family, or check out my relocation package if you want personalised help with schools, housing, and the whole process.